Darlene LancerThe phrase codependency has been in existence for almost 4 decades. Though it originally placed on spouses of alcoholics, first called co-alcoholics, research said you will of codependents were far more prevalent within the general population than have been imagined. The truth is, they found out that if you were raised inside a dysfunctional family or had an ill parent, the chances are you're codependent. Don't feel bad if that includes you. Most families in America are dysfunctional, so that covers almost everybody, you enter the majority! In addition they found that codependent symptoms got worse if untreated, but the good news was that they are reversible.